Japanese Ambassador highlights strong partnership with WFP during visit to Azraq refugee camp

During the visit, Ambassador ASARI and a delegation from the embassy, toured a WFP-contracted supermarket where refugees redeem their monthly cash transfer assistance to purchase food of their choice. He also met with a family receiving WFP cash assistance and visited a refugee-run community kitchen, where women prepare and package nutritious meals for school children benefiting from the National School Feeding Programme.

Reflecting on the visit, Ambassador ASARI commented: “Jordan has demonstrated exceptional generosity in hosting Syrian refugees for more than a decade. Japan reiterates its commitment to supporting Jordan’s efforts in addressing socio-economic vulnerabilities of Jordanians and Syrian refugees through supporting WFP cash assistance and the National School Feeding Program”.

“We are grateful to the Government and the people of Japan,” said WFP Representative and Country Director in Jordan Antonella D’Aprile. “Ambassador ASARI’s visit underscores Japan’s commitment to supporting vulnerable refugee families and its valued partnership with WFP that helps us continue to address food insecurity at a time when funding gaps limit our ability to provide support to those who rely on it.”

Japan’s contribution this year enabled WFP to provide cash-based assistance to over 38,000 refugees for one month and deliver nutrition awareness activities to 400 pregnant and breastfeeding women and young children. Thanks to the support of Japan and the people of Japan, WFP also utilized this contribution to deliver healthy school meals to nearly 90,000 vulnerable Jordanian and refugee students in communities for one semester.

With the support of donor partners, WFP currently provides monthly cash assistance to 248,000 refugees, mostly Syrians, in camps and host communities, and delivers school meals to 475,000 vulnerable children across Jordan. However, since July 2023, funding shortfalls have forced WFP to reduce the value of monthly cash assistance for refugees from JOD 23 (US$32) to JOD 15 (US$21) per person.

#                   #                   #

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.

Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @wfp_media, @wfp_jordan.